Help: Brand-new iPhone won't connect to iTunes

flambino · 09-24-2007, 01:44 PM

Short version: New iPhone - no connection at all to computer. Help, please!

Details: Just got a brand-new 8GB iPhone. I unpacked it, turned it on, it said connect to iTunes - all perfectly normal.
But neither my PowerBook nor the iPhone react when I plug in the phone. No iTunes starting, no change on the phone. Nothing.

My PowerBook is up-to-date software-wise (Mac OS 10.4.10, iTunes 7.4), and satisfies the requirements hardware-wise (USB 2.0). I've rebooted both phone and computer several times, I've reset PRAM, I've repaired permissions, I've reset the iPhone. Nothing.

Here's the kicker: The USB-ports work fine with a mouse plugged in, but when I plug in the iPhone not even System Profiler reacts. In fact, it just says that there's nothing on the USB bus. The iPhone just isn't there.

The iPhone seems to know that it's somewhat plugged-in, since it booted itself up, when I plugged it in while off. But that's the extent of it.
Right now, I'm hoping that it's just the USB cable that's broken (though that of course is brand-new as well). I'm trying to charge the iPhone from a power outlet right now to see if the cable works - so far, I can't tell. Update: No, not charging as far as I can tell. No tiny lightning or plug icon shows up when I plug it in. Should have figured something like that would show up, but it's the first iPhone I've ever held let alone used, so bear with me

Since I'm not in the US, I can't just walk into an Apple Store and ask what the deal is.

macgirl · 09-24-2007, 02:51 PM

what happens when you open itunes manually when your iphone is connected? does it show up in itunes then?

flambino · 09-24-2007, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by macgirl

what happens when you open itunes manually when your iphone is connected? does it show up in itunes then?

Nope, I tried that several times too. The computer itself doesn't know that the iPhone's there, so neither does iTunes. As far as my computer's concerned, the iPhone doesn't exist.

But it seems the USB cable may be the cause of all the trouble. I figured that the iPhone would somehow make it apparent whether it was charging, and of course it would according to the online manual (this is the first and only iPhone I've ever used - in fact it's the only the second I've seen in real life - which is why I didn't know this already).
Thing is, my iPhone doesn't seem to be charging from a power outlet either. So right now I'm hoping that it's simply the USB cable that's broken. It could be the phone itself of course, but I really, really hope that isn't the case. As I said, I don't live in the US, so I can't get it replaced very easily.
I'll borrow a friend's iPod cable and try connecting everything again.
Fingers: Crossed.

flambino · 09-25-2007, 08:38 AM

Tried with a different cable and.... no, still nothing. The iPhone is simply defective.

Aren't I just lucky? I'm 10 or so timezones away from where it was bought, and it's broken...

I'll have to find a way to replace it. End of story.

Consider this thread dead...

VIPERxGTx2000 · 09-25-2007, 11:28 AM

Try connecting it to a different computer, preferably a Windows computer. Also try going through the add new hardware wizard and see if it recognizes it then. I had a problem with my iPhone not charging or being recognized also, it turned out that the cable AND charger were the culprit. I tried another iPhone's cable and charger and it worked.

flambino · 09-25-2007, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by VIPERxGTx2000

Try connecting it to a different computer, preferably a Windows computer.

Tried that too (Dell laptop running XP). No response whatsoever. And like on my Mac, it doesn't even show up in the list of attached devices (or whatever that list is called).
As a comparison: I have a dead iPod with currupt firmware. It doesn't get recognized as anything by the computer, and it can't even boot, but at least System Profiler tells me that something is connected.
With the iPhone there's nothing.

Originally Posted by VIPERxGTx2000

Also try going through the add new hardware wizard and see if it recognizes it then.

Hmm.. I'm a Mac guy, so I didn't think of that, and the Dell laptop I tried earlier just went home with its owner, so all I have now is my PowerBook. But again, the PC too was totally unaware - at the hardware level - that anything is plugged in at all, so I doubt that the wizard would have found it.

Originally Posted by VIPERxGTx2000

I had a problem with my iPhone not charging or being recognized also, it turned out that the cable AND charger were the culprit. I tried another iPhone's cable and charger and it worked.

I'd love to try, but you can't buy neither iPhones nor their chargers, docks, earphones etc., where I live. It's simply not here yet. I'm the only one I know of who has one in the entire country. To get another charger I would have to enlist friends in the US, which I'm already doing in order to get a new iPhone.

I'll try everything one last time on my mom's MacBook with both the included cable and the one I've borrowed. But I'm not hopeful in the least.

rbarger · 09-27-2007, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by flambino

Short version: New iPhone - no connection at all to computer. Help, please!

Details: Just got a brand-new 8GB iPhone. I unpacked it, turned it on, it said connect to iTunes - all perfectly normal.
But neither my PowerBook nor the iPhone react when I plug in the phone. No iTunes starting, no change on the phone. Nothing.

My PowerBook is up-to-date software-wise (Mac OS 10.4.10, iTunes 7.4), and satisfies the requirements hardware-wise (USB 2.0). I've rebooted both phone and computer several times, I've reset PRAM, I've repaired permissions, I've reset the iPhone. Nothing.

Here's the kicker: The USB-ports work fine with a mouse plugged in, but when I plug in the iPhone not even System Profiler reacts. In fact, it just says that there's nothing on the USB bus. The iPhone just isn't there.

The iPhone seems to know that it's somewhat plugged-in, since it booted itself up, when I plugged it in while off. But that's the extent of it.
Right now, I'm hoping that it's just the USB cable that's broken (though that of course is brand-new as well). I'm trying to charge the iPhone from a power outlet right now to see if the cable works - so far, I can't tell. Update: No, not charging as far as I can tell. No tiny lightning or plug icon shows up when I plug it in. Should have figured something like that would show up, but it's the first iPhone I've ever held let alone used, so bear with me

Since I'm not in the US, I can't just walk into an Apple Store and ask what the deal is.

I ran into this same issue with my 1st iPhone. I had a PowerMac G4 Dual Proccessor, MacOS X 10.4.10, iTunes 7.4.

I called Apple about this issue, and I ended up being elevated to an iPhone technical specialist, that took about three people to reach. We tried everything, resetting, restarting, reinstalling, EVERYTHING.

I had to exchange my iPhone at the Apple store.

Sure enough, the new iPhone works great.

Check all of your support channels. And as much as it sucks, dont be afraid to exchange your iPhone, you paid a lot of money for it, and it should work.

Virginia · 02-12-2009, 01:58 PM

I can't get apps on my new iPhone 3G until I set up my iTunes account. I've been trying for weeks. I go through all the hoops and it says "technical difficulties". Have tried human phone support, no help.

Help

acosmichippo · 02-12-2009, 03:06 PM

For future reference, it would be best if you created a new thread for your question.

and by "all the hoops", i assume you mean you did all of these steps?

you can also set it up on another computer if you have one.

iNinja · 02-16-2009, 06:54 AM

Take it into ANY apple shop in the world and i think they will replace it. Its a worldwide warantee